Whether age of menarche is influenced by body mass index and lipoproteins profile? a retrospective study

BACKGROUND Menarche, a milestone in the reproductive life span of a woman, is influenced by several genetics and environmental factors. There is no consensus regarding the impact of body mass index (BMI) and lipid profiles on the age of menarche, as the results of various studies demonstrate. OBJECTIVE To investigate the correlation between age of menarche and BMI/lipoprotein profile in a community sample of Iranian girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the study, 370 girls, aged 10-16 years, who began their menarche within six months prior to the study, were recruited from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) population. Information was documented regarding their body composition, including height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference were collected and their lipid profiles were assessed after a 12-hour fast. RESULTS In this study, the mean±SD of age of menarche and BMI were 12.6±1.1 years and 21.7±3.9 kg/m(2), respectively. There were statistically significant relationships between age of menarche and height, BMI, waist circumference, and the maternal educational level. The relationship between age of menarche and the weight and lipid profiles of subjects was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Age at menarche is not influenced by lipid profiles but it is influenced by BMI.